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The Certificate Program provides a comprehensive understanding of the various scientific approaches and methods that underlie the interdisciplinary research field of "Game Studies" and its efforts to study a wide range of game-related phenomena.
Quotation Mark

"To say that there is more than one way to approach video games is to put it mildly. [...] one should use the methodology best suited to answer the question at hand."

Simon Egenfeldt-Nielsen et.al. "Understanding Video Games. The Essential Introduction" (2019), p.9

Next Info-Session

Please note that the information event is currently only being held in German.

Appointments

09.01.2025, 17:00 - 18:00,

online via Zoom

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Karin Kirchmayer

Karin Kirchmayer

Administrative assistant

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Understanding the essence of games and play

Game studies - the scholarly study of games and game-based phenomena - has become its own research discipline. Its object of study is by no means clearly delineated, because what precisely game studies investigates (and how it does so) is as diverse as the roles that games play in our society.

Game studies are best understood through a set of core themes that can be considered crucial for thinking about "games & play" in an academically informed way; these core themes also determine the range of theoretical and methodical approaches that inform the field.

In dealing with these topics, the main focus will be on the following perspectives:

  • Games as a medium: How do games "work" as a medium, and in what ways can they generate meaning?
  • The impact of games: How can games affect players - and what potentials and dangers arise from their effects?
  • Games and society: How do people come together through games - as player communities, but also in the games industry?
  • Games, Play & Culture: How can games be understood from different cultural perspectives - and how can game- and play-based approaches transform our understanding of culture?

  • research-led

  • for working professionals

  • interdisciplinary

"Game Studies Fundamentals" is of interest to anyone who seeks to develop a broad understanding of the thematic, theoretical, and methodological foundations of contemporary game studies.

ECTS
Game Studies Fundamentals

  • Contents

    The module is dedicated to the medial characteristics of games as a component of "Game Studies". The media-specific characteristics of games are examined from a theoretical and practical perspective: students reflect on the basics of game design by means of practical exercises, while the examination of the formal elements of the games as a medium provides the basis for later game analyzes.

  • Contents

    The module is dedicated to games-related impact research as a branch of "Game Studies". Using selected research contributions, the possible positive effects, but also the often feared dangers of (especially digital) games are examined. Game-related pedagogical, psychological and "cyber-criminological" theories and methods provide the basis for this examination.

  • Contents

    The module is dedicated to the investigation of social communities in the world of games as a component of game studies. On the one hand, this involves research into player communities and, on the other, an understanding of the gaming industry. Based on social science, but also on economic and management science methods, these communities are examined with regard to their interplay with other areas of society, but also in terms of the often concealed power structures and the mechanisms of reproducing inequality and exclusion that are at work in these communities and beyond.

  • Contents

    The module is dedicated to cultural studies approaches within game studies. On the one hand, critical perspectives from the field of cultural studies are examined as methods for analyzing games and game-based phenomena; on the other hand, theories of games & play are positioned in a socio-cultural context and applied as analytical categories to matters of culture and society.

Distance learning formats for all our study programs (in English) are currently in preparation. The first distance learning programs are scheduled to start in fall 2025. Check back here if you are interested, or fill out our enquiry form (see below) so we can keep you up to date. In the meantime, you may want to explore our study program in German.

Please use our enquiry form to contact us, order information material or register for the mailing list with news from the Center for Applied Games Studies.

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Nikolaus Koenig

Dr.
Nikolaus Koenig

Head - Center for Applied Game Studies

The Certificate Program "Game Studies Fundamentals" can also be credited as a specialization within the Master's degree program "Game Studies MA (CE)".

Game Studies, MA (CE)

Sujet Game Studies

The master's degree program combines various academic perspectives on the broad thematic field of games & play and prepares students to work independently in game-related contexts. Elective specializations in the areas of education, technology, design, or culture & society enable students to shape their studies to suit their individual and/or professional interests and requirements and to develop their own practice-oriented and academically sound approaches.

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